Lincoln Police officers will be out in force on “O” Street over the Memorial Day weekend. LPD announced Wednesday it will conduct a high visibility traffic enforcement project from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
“We will have marked cruisers as well as unmarked vehicles out and about and we’ll also have several layers of video monitoring going on,” says Captain Max Hubka. Those additional officers will be on patrol from 17th to 84th Streets to combat unsafe driving behaviors, trespassing, littering, noise violations and alcohol-related violations.
“This weekend has historically drawn a large number of vintage automobiles, spectators and drivers to the area of “O” Street between 44th and 52nd streets,” says Sergeant Sara Genoways, LPD Traffic Unit Supervisor. “Typically, as the night continues, LPD observes reckless driving and speeding. This not only endangers the lives of those committing these violations, but the lives of the thousands of spectators that flock to the area.”
Two years ago two women were killed when a speeding driver struck their car. The force of the crash sent the vehicle onto a sidewalk where spectators had been gathered. Several of them were injured. LPD will receive assistance from the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Department and the Nebraska State Patrol helicopter.
Hubka says they are also working to reduce the number of trespassers on private property. “We’ve had issues for years of very large crowds gathering in parking lots up and down “O” Street, so we will be blocking off certain parking lots with barricades and we have signage in place to advise people that they are not allowed on that property.
Hubka reminds residents and motorists to respect the peace and property of others and to help make this a safe holiday weekend. The enforcement project is funded by a grant awarded from the Nebraska Department of Transportation – Highway Safety Office.